Tailgate Bike Strap

ABSTRACT

A bicycle mounting device that is provided that includes a base strap having a soft fabric bottom surface, a flexible protective core, and a durable fabric top surface, having a proximal end and a distal end with a length that spans from the top to bottom regions of a truck tailgate, where the base strap includes an adjustable length securing element to secure the base strap to the tailgate, an upper transverse strap is disposed proximal to the base strap proximal end with a length that wraps about a bicycle frame tube, and includes a top strap fastening element configured to secure about the frame tube, and at least one lower strap that is transverse to the base strap and below the upper transverse strap, where the lower strap has a length that wraps about a bicycle fork arm and secures about the bicycle fork arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/313,142 filed Mar. 25, 2016, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to transporting bicycles. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a device for mounting a bicycleto a truck tailgate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transporting a bicycle safely in a pickup truck is a common problem.Current attempts to address this issue include draping a blanket overthe tailgate, or attaching an external carrying rack to the tailgate,within the truck bed, or on the truck roof. What is needed is a simple,no-scratch bicycle mounting device that conveniently attaches to a trucktailgate for securely holding a bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the needs in the art, a bicycle mounting device that includesa base strap having a soft fabric bottom surface, a flexible protectivecore, and a durable fabric top surface, where the base strap has aproximal end and a distal end with a length that spans from a top regionof a truck tailgate to a bottom region of the truck tailgate, where thebase strap includes an adjustable length base strap securing elementthat is configured to secure the base strap to the truck tailgate, anupper transverse strap that is transverse to the base strap, where theupper transverse strap is disposed proximal to the base strap proximalend with a length that is capable of wrapping about a bicycle frametube, where the upper transverse strap includes a top strap fasteningelement that is configured to secure the upper transverse strap aboutthe bicycle frame tube, and at least one lower transverse strap that istransverse to the base strap and is disposed below the upper transversestrap, where the at least one lower transverse strap has a length thatis capable of wrapping about a bicycle fork arm and includes a lowerstrap fastening element, where the lower strap fastening element isconfigured to secure the at least one lower transverse strap about thebicycle fork arm.

According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible core includes asecurity strap having a flexible splice-resistant material that isdisposed to wrap about the truck tailgate, a locking element configuredto lock the bicycle mounting device about the truck tailgate, and abicycle lock loop, where the bicycle lock loop is configured to receivea bicycle lock that is disposed to lock a bicycle to the tailgate. Inone aspect, the upper transverse strap has a transverse security strapthat includes a flexible splice-resistant material that is capable ofwrapping about the bicycle frame tube, and a locking element configuredto lock the bicycle mounting device about the bicycle frame tube.

In another aspect of the invention, the at least one lower transversestrap includes a first lower transverse strap configured to wrap aboutan upper region of the fork arm, and a second lower transverse strapconfigured to wrap about a lower region of the fork arm.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the base strap securingelement, the top strap fastening element and the lower strap fasteningelement can include hook and pile, male to female connectors, buckle,friction loop, button and hole, press snap, ratchet connection, and boadial quick release.

According to one aspect of the invention, the upper transverse strapcomprises a length that is capable of wrapping about a bicycle downtube.

In another aspect of the invention, the soft fabric bottom surfaceincludes a tactile polymer feature disposed to limit slipping betweenthe bicycle mounting device and a truck tailgate.

In another aspect of the invention, the at least one lower transversestrap is moveably attached to the base strap, where one or more moveablyattached lower transverse straps are configured in a daisy chain alongsaid base strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the bicycle mounting device,according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a cross section of the base strap having the flexible corewith an optional splice-resistant material, according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the bicycle mounting device installedon a truck tailgate and having a bicycle mounted there on, according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a planar view from the rear of a truck having the bicyclemounting device installed on a truck tailgate and having a bicyclemounted there on, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bicycle mounting device installedon a truck tailgate and having a bicycle mounted there on, according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a planar view from the rear of a truck having the bicyclemounting device installed on a truck tailgate, where the base strapincludes a flexible splice-resistant material, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D show exemplary connector configurations for the bicyclemounting device attached to a cut-away view of the tailgate, accordingto various embodiments of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current invention is a tailgate tie-down kit for transportingmountain bicycles, road bicycles or any other type of bicycle, where thebicycle is secured over the rear of a pickup truck tailgate fortransport. According to one embodiment, the invention includes aflexible strapping system that uses materials that are resistant to theweather, sun, heat or other outdoor conditions. The device includessupple cushioning that protects the bicycle and tailgate from scratches,dents, deformation or the like.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1B show one embodiment of thebicycle mounting device that includes a base strap having a soft fabricbottom surface, a flexible protective core, and a durable fabric topsurface, where also shown in FIG. 1B is an optional flexiblesplice-resistant material within the flexible protective core. The basestrap has a proximal end and a distal end with a length that spans froma top region of a truck tailgate to a bottom region of the trucktailgate. Further, the base strap includes an adjustable length basestrap securing element at one end and an adjustable length base strap atthe other end, where these aspects are configured to secure the basestrap to the truck tailgate. Attached to the base strap is an uppertransverse strap that is transverse to the base strap, where the uppertransverse strap is disposed proximal to the base strap proximal endwith a length that is capable of wrapping about a bicycle frame tube(see FIGS. 2-4). Additionally, the upper transverse strap includes a topstrap fastening element that is configured to secure the uppertransverse strap about the bicycle frame tube. As shown in the figures,the upper transverse strap is wrapped about the bicycle frame down tube,but it is understood that the invention can be configured to secureother frame tubes. Further shown is at least one lower transverse strapthat is transverse to the base strap and is disposed below the uppertransverse strap, where in the examples shown there are two lowertransverse straps. As shown, each transverse strap has a length that iscapable of wrapping about a bicycle fork arm and includes a lower strapfastening element, where the lower strap fastening element is configuredto secure the at least one lower transverse strap about the bicycle forkarm (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 show at least one lower transverse strap is moveablyattached to the base strap, where one or more moveably attached lowertransverse straps are configured in a daisy chain along said base strap,according to one aspect of the invention.

The durable fabric top surface can include any suitable material that isresistant to abrasion, sun and weather, yet does induce scratches to thebicycle or truck tailgate. The double-sided fabric is configured todistribute shear force within the base strap to avoid shear forces andallows the bicycle to be protected from the tailgate.

As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 5, the flexible protective core includes asecurity strap having a flexible splice-resistant material that isdisposed to wrap about the truck tailgate, a locking element configuredto lock the bicycle mounting device about the truck tailgate, and abicycle lock loop, where the bicycle lock loop is configured to receivea bicycle lock that is disposed to lock a bicycle to the tailgate. FIG.5 shows the upper transverse strap having a transverse security strapthat includes a flexible splice-resistant material that is capable ofwrapping about the bicycle frame tube, and a locking element configuredto lock the bicycle mounting device about the bicycle frame tube.

FIG. 4 shows tow lower transverse straps that include a first lowertransverse strap configured to wrap about an upper region of the forkarm, and a second lower transverse strap configured to wrap about alower region of the fork arm.

As presented in the FIG. 1A, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIGS. 6A-6D, the basestrap securing element, the top strap fastening element and the lowerstrap fastening element can include connectors such as hook and pile,male to female, buckle, friction loop, button and hole, press snap,ratchet, boa dial, and quick release, where it is understood that theseexemplary fastening elements can be configured for either the toptransverse strap, the bottom transverse strap(s) and the base strap.

As shown in FIG. 6D, the soft fabric bottom surface includes a tactilepolymer feature disposed to limit slipping between the bicycle mountingdevice and a truck tailgate.

In one exemplary implementation of embodiment shown in FIG. 1, thebuckles, loops and Velcro secure the bicycle mounting device to thetruck tailgate (see FIGS. 2-4). The hook and pile allow the length ofthe base strap to be adjusted to the ideal length of the truck tailgate.Padding is provided to protect the bicycle and the tailgate fromscratching when the bicycle is secured to the truck tailgate. FIG. 1further shows a buckle disposed to tighten and secure the opposite strapwith hook and pile materials. To secure the opposite strap it must bethread through the buckle and secured with the hook and pile materials.The two padded straps are attached to the main padded strap that goesaround the entire tailgate and is also secured with the hook and pilematerials. The bicycle is then placed over the tailgate and secured byattaching one of the padded straps attach to the main padded straparound the down tube. Next the padded strap that attaches to the forkarm of the bicycle for securing. Once the bicycle is secured andanchored to the tailgate the bicycle can be transported.

The top transverse strap that attaches to the down tube is padded toincur the angle of the down tube and to prevent damage to the bicycle orthe tailgate. It also is angled and padded with cushioning to allow forthe accommodation of different shapes and components of the down tube.

In one embodiment, the bottom strap can be repositioned through anoption to place the strap in between the hook and pile of the mainpadded strap this allows the strap to placed on a area of the fork ofthe bicycle that would not interfere with securing it. Proper placementof the strap is dependent upon the height of the fork and size of thebicycle so that it does not interfere with securing the fork to thestrap when it is secured by velcro.

The present invention has now been described in accordance with severalexemplary embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative in allaspects, rather than restrictive. Thus, the present invention is capableof many variations in detailed implementation, which may be derived fromthe description contained herein by a person of ordinary skill in theart. All such variations are considered to be within the scope andspirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

What is claimed: 1) A bicycle mounting device, comprising: a) a basestrap, wherein said base strap comprises a soft fabric bottom surface, aflexible protective core, and a durable fabric top surface, wherein saidbase strap comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said basestrap comprises a length that spans from a top region of a trucktailgate to a bottom region of said truck tailgate, wherein said basestrap comprises an adjustable length base strap securing element,wherein said base strap securing element is configured to secure saidbase strap to said truck tailgate; b) an upper transverse strap that istransverse to said base strap, wherein said upper transverse strap isdisposed proximal to said base strap proximal end, wherein said uppertransverse strap comprises a length that is capable of wrapping about abicycle frame tube, wherein said upper transverse strap comprises a topstrap fastening element, wherein said upper strap fastening element isconfigured to secure said upper transverse strap about said bicycleframe tube; and c) at least one lower transverse strap that istransverse to said base strap, wherein said at least one lowertransverse strap is disposed below said upper transverse strap, whereinsaid at least one lower transverse strap comprises a length that iscapable of wrapping about a bicycle fork arm, wherein said at least onelower transverse strap comprises a lower strap fastening element,wherein said lower strap fastening element is configured to secure saidat least one lower transverse strap about said bicycle fork arm. 2) Thebicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said flexible protectivecore comprises a security strap, wherein said security strap comprises:a) a flexible splice-resistant material that is disposed to wrap aboutsaid truck tailgate; b) a locking element configured to lock saidbicycle mounting device about said truck tailgate; and c) a bicycle lockloop, wherein said bicycle lock loop is configured to receive a bicyclelock that is disposed to lock a bicycle to said tailgate. 3) The bicyclemounting device of claim 2, wherein said upper transverse strapcomprises a transverse security strap, wherein said transverse securitystrap comprises: a) a flexible splice-resistant material that is capableof wrapping about said bicycle frame tube; and b) a locking elementconfigured to lock said bicycle mounting device about said bicycle frametube. 4) The bicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said at leastone lower transverse strap comprises a first lower transverse strapconfigured to wrap about an upper region of said fork arm, and a secondlower transverse strap configured to wrap about a lower region of saidfork arm. 5) The bicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said basestrap securing element, said top strap fastening element and said lowerstrap fastening element is selected from the group consisting of hookand pile, male to female connectors, buckle, friction loop, button andhole, press snap, ratchet connection, boa dial, and quick release. 6)The bicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said upper transversestrap comprises a length that is capable of wrapping about a bicycledown tube. 7) The bicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said softfabric bottom surface comprises a tactile polymer feature disposed tolimit slipping between said bicycle mounting device and a trucktailgate. 8) The bicycle mounting device of claim 1, wherein said atleast one lower transverse strap is moveably attached to said basestrap, wherein one or more said moveably attached lower transversestraps are configured in a daisy chain along said base strap.